Most over-reated and underated bands [Archive] - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

Sansui Louie

04-02-2008, 06:43 AM

Ditto on Clapton and Skynyrd.

Clapton... He makes me think of how *I* define 'overrated'. It seems that if an artist releases an album or two of solid material, particularly within a short time period (say, a year or three) that meets critical and popular acclaim, they can then coast on their laurels for the next 20 or 30 years. IMO, the last thing Clapton released that was worth more than a yawn was "Slowhand".

Skynyrd... In a way, I feel sorry for what little remains of this band. First, they're cut short by tragedy, then over time are idolized by and come to stand for trailer trash in wife beaters and rusty camaros everywhere. I'm sure they didn't envision that when the original band was together. And on the rare occasion that I can get past the confederate flag-waving Mullet Nation image, I still enjoy some of their music.

I'm sure none of these artists asked to be overrated or underrated. The rock press and buying public dictated that...

grateful

04-02-2008, 07:50 AM

The Grateful Dead overrated? The band has had a long history, starting as a bluegrass band and receiving critical acclaim by the best of the day. They are the only rock band that improvises with the likes of John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Through every aspect of their careers they have been innovators. Their virtuosity is unmatched. Each member is venerated as the best at their instrument. For example Garcia at guitar, banjo and his soulful vocals are unmatched; he is universally respected among bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz and rock musicians as the best of the best. He had Mozart class impact on music. Classes are taught at Berkley on Phil Lesh's bass technique, Mickey Hart is an amazing drummer professor of drums etc. Their critical acclaim is universal among professional musicians, critics, artists and music students. There is a reason smart kids followed them around the country and it is not only to party with the hippy chicks. 17 year old kids still become addicted to their 30 year old songs there is a reason for that. I won't even discuss the development of live sound and the political and social change brought on by the Dead or their contributions to art, literature, culture, thought, there are whole books on the subject. The Dead are a lot more than Truckin.

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 09:11 AM

Don't want this thread to turn into a "who is crap" argument. Bands like The Dead, Zep, Stones, Beatles, are obviously talented. What some are (hopefully) saying is the point of this, that maybe don't deserve the stardom. Ex being Led Zepplin, I can't really say they are a favorite of mine, but some of the earlier blues tinged worked I love. When The Levee Breaks is one of my all time faves. (They claimed they wrote it but did not, the original is a folk/blues tune from well before they were born.) The Dead is another band with loads of talent, but most people will never get into them due to their popular songs being duds. One note though, because Berkley has a course on Bob Weir does in no way make him any better than any other bass player. IMO. I happen to like the Dead, esp early stuff with Pig Pen on vocals. Over-rated? Not to me but it is OK to think so.

Telecaster72

04-02-2008, 09:16 AM

Grateful > I am with you brother, i kept my trap shut though since no matter who you put in the overrated category you are going to step on someones toes, this thread could easily go overboard with everybody bashing eachothers taste in music...
I bit my tongue when Skynyrd were mentioned also ;-)

They were one of a kind and there will never be anyone like the Dead again, musically or socially...

grateful

04-02-2008, 09:19 AM

Phil Lesh by the way. Max Roach, Gary Burton, Buddy Rich, Pat Metheny, Art Blakey etc used to or currently teach at Berkley. I think where music students study they would want the best professors and the best styles to emulate. I think that is the point of a music college. I also love the Pigpen era dead. What duds are you talking about?

70salesguy

04-02-2008, 09:23 AM

Remember to be nice. over-rated doesn't mean they stink, just they don't deserve the attention they get...

Remember this isn't a bash, just performers that YOU think get more attention than they deserve.

No one's opinion is being assaulted here...........unless you think Britney Spears is underated! :sigh:

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 09:43 AM

Grateful, my bad. What I meant by duds is that Truckin' and Casey Jones are pop tunes IMO and don't do them justice. I have been to countless Dead and Garcia Band shows and these are real yawners compared to the jams. I really liked Jerry when he used the girl singers (Maria Muldaur was one). I'm not bashing here, maybe defending them, but often bands get defined by their hits. Being a Dead fan you should know the songs that get airplay are never the best ones, usually the opposite. BTW, I have Bears Choice, Historic Dead, Terrapin Station and both Old and In The Way records, as well as live tapes, and find them all enjoyable.

Jack Lord

04-02-2008, 09:48 AM

One note though, because Berkley has a course on Bob Weir does in no way make him any better than any other bass player

Bob Weir was the Dead's rhythm guitarist. Phil Lesh was their bassist and while not on the same level as guys like Entwistle, Bruce and Redding, was and is a pretty good bassist.

Anyway, these are of course folks' opinions and funny opinions some of them are. I cannot fathom bands that have created Revolver or the White Album or Sticky Fingers or Beggars' Banquet being termed overrated.

grateful

04-02-2008, 10:00 AM

Come on Entwhistle is not even in the same class as Phil Lesh. None of the bass players you mention can improvise a lick. Now comparing him to Paul Chambers you might be on to something. Read downbeat and the surveys by bass players on who they admire most. You will see Phil coming up all the time.

d-ray657

04-02-2008, 10:04 AM

70salesguy was right on the mark with his comment on rush. It seems like good rock musicians could find a vocalist that isn't annoying.

Clapton is overrated when you compare his work to some of the blues artists that came out of Chess Records. Muddy waters could do things with a guitar that would send shivers down your spine.

Similarly, Zepplin made a career on the backs of several unrecognized bluesmen.

Underrated: Ben Harper, Leonard Cohen

Jack Lord

04-02-2008, 10:07 AM

Come on Entwhistle is not even in the same class as Phil Lesh. None of the bass players you mention can improvise a lick. Read downbeat and the surveys by bass players on who they admire most. You wills see Phil coming up all the time.

Hey, I love the Dead and Phil. But I would not rank him in the elite tier. But he's still better than most others.:thmbsp:

Telecaster72

04-02-2008, 10:17 AM

c'mon guys what happened to the topic?

Overrated: Toto

Underrated: Robin Trower

Just off the top of my head...

Noborigama

04-02-2008, 10:22 AM

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 10:23 AM

Coming to the defense here again, Entwhistle was a monster on bass, "The Real Me" takes my breath away. Also Grateful, forgot to mention Kingfish, have a couple of theirs too, very easy to listen to. Right now Jorma Kaukonen is spinning "Quah" man this is one great acoustic guitar record. Seen him many times, also Hot Tuna, always amazed.
One thing to remember here folks, very few of us are accomplished musicians, and therefore have no right to question the talent of real musicians. We only know what we like, and that's cool. This thread isn't about knocking down people.

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 10:32 AM

I would say overated = The Police, MatchBox 20
Underated = The Flat Duo Jets, Tyler Keith & The Preachers Kids

I also echo the Butthole Surfers sentiment, and attended a few Chameleon shows while growing up in MN with them as a local band, their drummer had a rotating setup so he actually played while turning upside down!

I believe the Chameleons you are describing are a different band. That is why the other band had to call themselves Chameleons UK. (Manchester, England I think) If you grew up near Minneapolis you may have heard some of my favorite bands. Husker Du, (Saw Bob Mould last week in dc) The Replacements, and a killer R & B band named Lamont Cranston Band. Lots of horns, 2 or 3 guitars, swing influenced blues. Man I love those guys, have 3 copies of their first record on Shadow Records.

Twenty20Man

04-02-2008, 11:02 AM

overrated = Boston...Boston AND BOSTON

under rated Strawbs, Elvis Costello

d-ray657

04-02-2008, 11:17 AM

I'll borrow KeninDc's logic and suggest that Cake is overrated only because Soul Coughing is underrated. Overall, though, I think Cake is underrated.

Similarly, B.B.King is overrated only because John Lee Hooker is underrated.

Some more underrated artists: Bobbie Raitt as a guitarist; Frank Zappa as a musician and composer; Leon Russell, Roy Rogers (Chops not Chaps), Scrapper Blackwell, Sonny Landreth and Crash Test Dummies.

Van Morrison is sometimes overrated in his own mind (too many lyrical rants about the music industry), but underrated for his versatility.

Noborigama

04-02-2008, 11:37 AM

I believe the Chameleons you are describing are a different band. That is why the other band had to call themselves Chameleons UK. (Manchester, England I think) If you grew up near Minneapolis you may have heard some of my favorite bands. Husker Du, (Saw Bob Mould last week in dc) The Replacements, and a killer R & B band named Lamont Cranston Band. Lots of horns, 2 or 3 guitars, swing influenced blues. Man I love those guys, have 3 copies of their first record on Shadow Records.

Yes I attended many shows at First Ave, Goofy's Upper Deck, Uptown Theater, etc. I saw Husker Many Many Times, actually met and talked with Bob and Grant on more than a few occasions back in the day. I know La Mont Cranston Band but never saw them. My icon on AK is The Replacements and just listened to "Let it Be", love that album!. Did you ever hear The Urban Guerilla's? Oh and of course I saw Prince a couple of times with The Time. And yes The Chameleon I am talking about is not Chameleons UK. I believe Yanni was in the Chameleons I am talking about.

Underated= The Jam
Overated= Jack Johnson

anytune

04-02-2008, 11:37 AM

Overrated: Prince - can't sing
Underrated: Moody Blues - most deserving of Hall of Fame consideration

d-ray657

04-02-2008, 11:46 AM

Overrated -- Madonna

Underrated -- Anyone with a scintilla of talent who is not in the R&R Hall of Fame.

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 11:52 AM

Ok, very specific: Bands directly influenced by The Velvet Underground

Underrated: Luna, Galaxie 500, Feelies (80s), The Clean (and a lot of other New Zealand bands...the chills, etc), Yo La Tengo, and many others

Overrated: Pavement.

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 11:53 AM

Sinatra specific:

Underrated: 50's and earlier Sinatra

Overrated: 60's and later Sinatra....

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 11:53 AM

Yes I attended many shows at First Ave, Goofy's Upper Deck, Uptown Theater, etc. I saw Husker Many Many Times, actually met and talked with Bob and Grant on more than a few occasions back in the day. I know La Mont Cranston Band but never saw them. My icon on AK is The Replacements and just listened to "Let it Be", love that album!. Did you ever hear The Urban Guerilla's? Oh and of course I saw Prince a couple of times with The Time. And yes The Chameleon I am talking about is not Chameleons UK. I believe Yanni was in the Chameleons I am talking about.

Underated= The Jam
Overated= Jack Johnson

Never heard of the Urban Guerillas. Urban Verbs I really liked (check "Subways" out). I must admit a bit of envy on seeing Husker so many times. Thanks for the heads up. I agree with your ratings, I love The Jam, and Jack Johnson does not float my boat.

KeninDC

04-02-2008, 11:56 AM

I, too, was tricked into seeing a Buffet show back in the 90s with the "it's like a Dead show" ruse. Don't fall for it, folks.

I have five copies of the "Sticky Fingers" LP, but I'm in agreement that the Stones are overrated. However, they were not overrated until just recently when Scorcese decided to do "Shine a Light." Don't get me wrong, I love Scorcese, but the second he deems a band worthy of his touch, they become overrated (see, e.g., Dylan and The Band).

Don't argue with me here, it's axiomatic.

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 11:59 AM

Also, reminded by reading all of this...I think in my opinion the most overrated band of the last 20 years is Nirvana. Grunge was nothing more than a 70's throwback, without the bombast of Zeppelin or the thought/scope of Pink Floyd or the swagger of T Rex or the raw power of later-era The Who or the feeling of Big Star, or social consciousness Marley. A flannel shirt and sludgy guitar riffs and teen-angst at age 27..I just don't get it. And the Pixies did it better, earlier.

I've been waiting a long time to say that. Hope I didn't step on toes or feelings!

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 12:02 PM

eww. Jack Johnson. Got stuck in a van for 3 hours listening to him once. Like an open-mic night that somehow got broadcast all over the world. Yawn.

Sansui Louie

04-02-2008, 12:04 PM

I think that throughout this thread it's important to remember that the label 'Overrated' isn't a slam at the band per se', but more at the hype that surrounds them, often not even of their doing.

Taking the Grateful Dead as an example, it's not a critique of the wealth of their contribution to music so much as a critique of their following. Although many people have followed the Dead for genuine reasons, there's a lot of people who did it just to be a part of something...sort of like lemmings. Those are the people who tip the scales over to the 'overrated' side.

It's like someone saying "Clapton is God". WHY is Clapton God? Do they even know? Can they justify their statement? Most of the time, no. There's a red flag for overrated status.

REM was a nice little alt rock band out of Athens, Georgia until someone got the idea that Michael Stipe was some sort of visionary. Maybe it was Michael Stipe who got that idea. Regardless, though a wonderful band with great songs, they became overrated. In other words, their hype factor was writing checks that their talent level couldn't cash. It's not totally their fault. Sometimes the hype factor is so large that *no one* can measure up.

There's sort of a bell curve in the quality of output from most artists. They start out small, there's a big rise in talent level and output, then with a rise in popularity, that talent level starts to wane. Eventually, they run out of new material or fresh ideas or whatever it is, usually before the popularity wanes. Most end up back where they started.

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 12:11 PM

Sansui Louie you said it all. Lets hope everyone reads your post before they start cutting down artists. I bow to your knowledge, oh Wise One.

budgophille

04-02-2008, 12:14 PM

I have to agree with the first post for the underrated, Southern Culture on the Skids. Truly awesome live show, and good studio stuff as well. Also, Mike Doughty (of Soul Coughing fame), My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, All underrated. Overated... it goes with out saying. I think everyone has done a great job of calling out the bubble gum pop, punk, and rock bands that have ridden the coat tails of critics and the general lack of taste of the general populus. American Idol is a number one show... what does that say for this countries musical decision making ability?

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 12:17 PM

My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses..those are two different bands? Just Kidding! And maybe a bit inside if you haven't heard them. I love them both, and both are underrated. MMJ live is a spectacle of hair and guitar that I wasn't expecting.

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 12:19 PM

Man ,I am an idiot for not including this quote earlier. I may not have it exact, but it is by H. L. Menken
"No One ever went broke under-estimating the tastes of the American public"

budgophille

04-02-2008, 12:41 PM

Nice zinger JohnVF! you are right though... i knew i should have slipped Tony Joe White in between the two bands for a little bit of underrated buffer! amen on the Menken Quote as well. mine was sort of a paraphase of Doug Stanhope.

Noborigama

04-02-2008, 12:46 PM

This is a fun thread that of course can step on others toe's or opinions. Of course you have to keep it lite. Obviously most here would look at American Idol with disdain. But there are those who are Jazz or Mozart lovers who would also not appreciate the Butthole Surfers. The more open your mind is the more music you may find that intrigues you. I can't possibly own everything I like. Most pop to me is overated but some is fun for a week or two. The classics are classics to me and couldn't be overated, maybe overplayed. Too much is under appreciated but I'll keep listening.

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 12:49 PM

Overrated: Diana Krall.

Every time I look at high-end speakers, no matter where, they put her on. I get it, she's well recorded. So is The Zombies' Odyssey and Oracle so bring it on!

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 12:50 PM

I should have said:

Underrated: Nina Simone

Overrated: Diana Krall.

A woman and a piano can be world's apart.

shocley

04-02-2008, 01:13 PM

Way way way over rated: The Greatful Dead!!!!

For a lond time, I agreed with that. But listen to Live at the Cow Palace - New Year's Eve 1976 before once and for all consigning them to "overrated" purgatory. They didn't noodle and screw around excessively and Donna Godchaux behaved herself. The result is a stunning transformation into a band that could pump out rock n roll as complex as a Bach cantata with a driving beat and a solid bottom. Jaw-dropping. You'd have to be, well...dead...to remain still listening to that recording.

Squonk07

04-02-2008, 05:50 PM

Overrated: Prince - can't sing
Underrated: Moody Blues - most deserving of Hall of Fame consideration

Political implications aside, I think you'll find that Rush Limbaugh agrees with you on that score. :D He once devoted an entire program to a huge rant about how the Ramones got into the Hall of Fame but the Moody Blues didn't. Seeing your reply just made that come to mind.

JohnVF

04-02-2008, 05:51 PM

The Moody Blue's "Isn't life Strange" should be played once a day to keep one's sanity. I freakin' love love love that song.

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 06:16 PM

Overrated: Pixies

Underrated: Husker Du

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 06:18 PM

But there are those who are Jazz or Mozart lovers who would also not appreciate the Butthole Surfers.

Hey, I love jazz and the butthole surfers!

Mystic

04-02-2008, 06:42 PM

The Grateful Dead overrated...

Garcia at guitar, banjo and his soulful vocals are unmatched...
Classes are taught at Berkley on Phil Lesh's bass technique...
Mickey Hart is an amazing drummer professor of drums etc...
The Dead are a lot more than Truckin...

I will add that Bob Weir is one of the most (if not the most) interesting and innovative rhythm guitarists to have worked the rock music canon. And then there's Pigpen, something no other band ever had.

Mystic

04-02-2008, 06:46 PM

The Beatles may be over-adulated, over-analyzed, over-played and oversold but the beauty of the music they made and its importance to 20th Century popular culture can not be overrated.

Did anyone above mention Elvis? Over or under? :scratch2:

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 06:50 PM

grateful

04-02-2008, 08:44 PM

Indeed on Bob Weir.

KeninDC

04-02-2008, 09:16 PM

Elvis from 1969 to 1973 was indeed the King. The Memphis recordings are soul classics.

Elvis' '68 comeback special, however, is overrated. Even the acoustic set.

solarmusick

04-02-2008, 09:40 PM

Overrated: Pixies

Underrated: Husker Du
I was listening to Zen Arcade earlier today on vinyl. :)

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 09:44 PM

Overrated: Nine Inch Nails

Underrated: Scraping Foetus off the Wheel

poohsan

04-02-2008, 09:53 PM

overrated: REM, U2

underrated: SRV, Steve Miller, Johnny Cash.

Mr. Lin

04-02-2008, 09:58 PM

Hey, I love jazz and the butthole surfers!

Me too!

Wolverine

04-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Well to those defending the Dead I guess on my part we will just have to agree to disagree. No offense but just because UC-Berkley is teaching a course on the Dead and/or it's members does not give them any kind of special cred in my book. UC-Berkley has taught classes on several dubious subjects over the years....... :)

Music and the gear we listen to it on is IMO a question of personal taste so whatever fills your ears and heart is all that matters....

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 10:41 PM

Happy to see other Husker Du fans. I thought they could be put in either list because they reached the top of the punk scene. IMO Bob Mould's music shows so much more, the melodies and anarchy mixed into one is rare indeed. If you follow his career, all the way up to "Body Of Song" which is only a few years ago, you will find an extrodinary range of styles. Even some mellow acoustic songs from "Workbook". Sugars' "Besides" is a great one, Bob fronted that band and wrote the music. The lyrics are sometimes meaningful, albeit dark at times. He was in town a few weeks ago, saw him at the 9:30 club. If you like Husker du, check out ....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. The best effort by far for them is "Source Tags And Codes". If you look at the liner notes you will see every song has a message, and the band did all the artwork. Same kind of mix-sweet chaos.

grateful

04-02-2008, 11:14 PM

Berkley college of music in Boston. The Julliard of popular music. Bella Fleck and Victor Wooten are / were students there,

similost

04-02-2008, 11:21 PM

Overrated: Fatboy Slim
Underrated: The Prodigy

There's you a spin...

BTW.. how many people read all the posts in threads this long other than me?
Some good one in here...

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 11:32 PM

Overrated: Fatboy Slim
Underrated: The Prodigy

There's you a spin...

BTW.. how many people read all the posts in threads this long other than me?
Some good one in here...

me, been in on this one for the get go

every one has been very well behaved too and no one has got bent out of shape (yet)

caddisgeek

04-02-2008, 11:33 PM

overrated: talking heads

underrated: wire

grillebilly

04-02-2008, 11:36 PM

Berkley college of music in Boston. The Julliard of popular music. Bella Fleck and Victor Wooten are / were students there,

Off topic, but what the hey.
University Of Virginia. Second best public college in the country by Newsweek. Thomas Jeferson, John Adams alumni.
They have a course on CSI:Miami. We are taliking David Caruso. Point TRYING to be made is just because ANY school has a class on any subject, that doesn't mean the subject is worthy. Don't take it personal, many of us have lost faith in the education "establishment".

Mr. Lin

04-02-2008, 11:38 PM

underrated: wire

Agree, but I really like Talking Heads.

NeedForSpeed

04-02-2008, 11:39 PM

Overrated: Jimmy Buffet

I cannot express in words how strongly I dislike everything this man has ever done. It makes me physically ill.

Ditto. Worst song writer in my lifetime.

SA-708

04-02-2008, 11:51 PM

Overrated: The Human League

Underrated: The Teardrop Explodes
The Jazz Butcher
The Mighty Lemon Drops

Noborigama

04-02-2008, 11:53 PM

Hey, I love jazz and the butthole surfers!

I like Jazz and Love Blues, and I Love the Butthole Surfers. You're OK caddisgeek!:thmbsp:

Noborigama

04-03-2008, 12:03 AM

Overrated= Stone Temple Pilots
Underrated= Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes
..
If you like Husker Du, check out Grant Hart's solo work too, he still tours occasionally. I guess I should have chose a different comparison than Jazz & the Butthole Surfers! Seems theres alot of mutual fans.

caddisgeek

04-03-2008, 12:16 AM

Cool_Manchu

04-03-2008, 02:09 AM

For Classic Rock:

Most overrated band of all time - Led Zeppelin

Most underrated band - Thin Lizzy

clydeselsor

04-03-2008, 04:42 AM

Over rated: Whitesnake
Under rated: Captain Beyond

BTW: I still hate the Grateful Dead, I don't give a fuck where they went to school!

caddisgeek

04-03-2008, 05:38 AM

Overrated: white stripes

Underrated: black keys

Wolverine

04-03-2008, 05:57 AM

Berkley college of music in Boston. The Julliard of popular music. Bella Fleck and Victor Wooten are / were students there,

G- Sorry about the mix-up I just assumed when talking about a stoner band you were referencing a stoner school...albeit a somewhat intellectual stoner school.... :) Grillebilly actually makes my point better regarding class offerings

Clydeselsor-You need to chill and watch the language on a public forum like this :no:

I apologize to all if I inadvertently turned this thread into a flame war about the Dead.

guidemeister

04-03-2008, 06:21 AM

Wasn't the keyboard player for Chameleon, Yanni??

Overrated : Stones

Underrated : Renaissance

Sansui Louie

04-03-2008, 06:23 AM

Although I like Stone Temple Pilots, I tend to agree. Weiland has likely never had an original thought...all the songs borrow heavily from someone else.

caddisgeek

04-03-2008, 07:01 AM

overrated: black flag

underrated: descendents

grateful

04-03-2008, 07:18 AM

Learn to read clydeselsor no one said anything about where the dead went to school. You don't really get music either do you.

caddisgeek

04-03-2008, 07:21 AM

me, been in on this one for the get go

every one has been very well behaved too and no one has got bent out of shape (yet)

LIke I said, yet

anyhoo back to the OP

overrated: Cream (dont mean I dont love 'em)

underrated: Blue Cheer

ducati_EL34

04-03-2008, 08:13 AM

Anybody else whose music you like but could skip the vocals?

Tom Petty.

Art K.

04-03-2008, 08:15 AM

Over rated: Whitesnake
Under rated: Captain Beyond

BTW: I still hate the Grateful Dead, I don't give a fuck where they went to school!

I don't like the Dead either. Not that they're good, bad, or indifferent...just don't like their music.

Over rated = Styx, REO Speedwagon
Under Rated = Cheap Trick (first 4 records are classics)

Mattwizz3

04-03-2008, 08:30 AM

Over rated: Foo Fighters

Under Rated: The Eels

There is just something about the Foo Fighters that just is too plain and bores me.

ducati_EL34

04-03-2008, 08:31 AM

Skynyrd... In a way, I feel sorry for what little remains of this band. First, they're cut short by tragedy, then over time are idolized by and come to stand for trailer trash in wife beaters and rusty camaros everywhere. I'm sure they didn't envision that when the original band was together. And on the rare occasion that I can get past the confederate flag-waving Mullet Nation image, I still enjoy some of their music.

Oh come on. Skynyrd embraced the Redneck Nation. (The Redneck Nation gave birth to the mullet/wife beater nation) As for their music, I went through my teenage years liking it, but it does not age well. Once you hear what else is out there, you realize how simple and bland their music is.

grateful

04-03-2008, 09:06 AM

No problem with me Artk as long as you'r not an ass about it you have a right to you opinion. Btw I saw Cheap Trick with Aerosmith a couple of years ago.

KeninDC

04-03-2008, 10:44 AM

University Of Virginia. Second best public college in the country by Newsweek. Thomas Jeferson, John Adams alumni.

UVa - underrated, even at number 2.

I saw the Replacements and REM there - both overrated, drunk and wimpy, respectively.

I saw X and the Fleshtones thers - underrated.

Remember the "White Animals?" - non-rated?

arrow 68

04-03-2008, 11:03 AM

Oh come on. Skynyrd embraced the Redneck Nation. (The Redneck Nation gave birth to the mullet/wife beater nation) As for their music, I went through my teenage years liking it, but it does not age well. Once you hear what else is out there, you realize how simple and bland their music is.

Not referencing to Skynyrd particularly, but everything else applies to most commercial bands. The pool of common sense is rather shallow.

Ashfan

04-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Overrated- U2. I thought their first couple of albums were mildly interesting, and then they went downhill from there.

Underrated- Wishbone Ash, but then you might have expected that from my "screen-name". Sparks, Renaissance

d-ray657

04-03-2008, 11:11 AM

Overrated: white stripes

Underrated: black keys

Caddisgeek, where did you learn about the Black Keys? They were one of my emusic finds. So many of the underrated that have been mentioned on this thread are bands that had all of the talent, but just didn't get the hype. That's what I enjoy about emusic, and what I'm learning to enjoy more and more about AudioKarma -- introductions to more and more artists that are worth hearing. Thanks for a great thread everyone.

Oh yeah, did I already say that Ben Harper is underrated?

Noborigama

04-03-2008, 11:19 AM

overrated: black flag

underrated: descendents

I had that same thought last nite!

Overrated= Minor Threat
Underrated= Crucifucks

Sansui Louie

04-03-2008, 11:27 AM

I don't like the Dead either. Not that they're good, bad, or indifferent...just don't like their music.

Over rated = Styx, REO Speedwagon
Under Rated = Cheap Trick (first 4 records are classics)

Ditto on Cheap Trick. Ever hear the bootleg "Albini In Color"? Steve Albini went in the studio with Cheap Trick and they re-recorded every single track on "In Color" in 1998 with no intention of ever releasing it...the band never liked what Epic did with their second album's production.

As far as Styx goes,

Overrated: Styx with Tommy Shaw
Underrated: Styx with John Curulewski (Shaw replaced him)

pmsummer

04-03-2008, 11:32 AM

Overrated: Bands that other people like that I don't.

Underrated: Bands that I like that other people don't.

Ashfan

04-03-2008, 05:07 PM

caddisgeek

04-03-2008, 06:41 PM

I saw the Replacements and REM there - both overrated, drunk and wimpy, respectively.

Replacements - overrated

Sunnboys & Stems - underrated

Caddisgeek, where did you learn about the Black Keys?

Black Keys a fairly well known in Australia. We have a national state run "youth" radio network JJJ that that has been on them since Rubber Factory

I had that same thought last nite!

Overrated= Minor Threat
Underrated= Crucifucks

can't agree on Minor Threat, soundtrack to my youth and I still love 'em

how about

overrated - Fear

underrated - Angry Samoans

clydeselsor

04-03-2008, 11:51 PM

We were asked to state an opinion, I stated mine. If you don't like it, that's just too bad!

jlindsey86

04-04-2008, 12:00 AM

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, most underrated group of all time.

Art K.

04-04-2008, 12:24 AM

Ditto on Cheap Trick. Ever hear the bootleg "Albini In Color"? Steve Albini went in the studio with Cheap Trick and they re-recorded every single track on "In Color" in 1998 with no intention of ever releasing it...the band never liked what Epic did with their second album's production.

As far as Styx goes,

Overrated: Styx with Tommy Shaw
Underrated: Styx with John Curulewski (Shaw replaced him)

Don't know who told you they didn't like what Epic did with In Color (probably some 20/20 hindsight interview with a member) but I knew them then and they didn't mind at all. In fact they were blown away in a fun and stun sort of way. They couldn't believe how polished and yet powerful that album sounded. It inspired and even more powerful and polished record...Heaven Tonight. We weren't best friends but I hung around with a very close friend of Rick's and heard many of the records before they were finished and heard their opinions on those records first hand. First met Rick in a Co-op Tapes and Records on Auburn St in Rockford Illinois. Hell even got drunk with Xeno, Cheap Trick's singer before Robin...pitiful soul that he was. Ahhh those were the days!

Sansui Louie

04-04-2008, 09:51 AM

This is *not* my source for the Albini in Color info, but it fairly mirrors what I had read a few years ago when I got my copy.

http://quipitone.blogspot.com/2006/04/cheap-trick-in-color-albini-version.html

My recollection was that one of the band members was interviewed and was saying how the A&R man at Epic was all over them about putting out something more commercial for their second release, i.e. Epic wanted a HIT. So the recording didn't have the 'edge' that the first release did. By the time they did "Heaven Tonight", they apparently had enough clout to do it their way, and that they never were really happy with In Color.

Your take on it may have been from their initially being 'impressed' with In Color. I would have to agree though that it, as released, is the wimpiest of their early albums. The Albini version just kicks ass.

sdmf

04-04-2008, 10:01 AM

Shame on anyone who would call Lynyrd Skynyrd bland. :nono: Ronnie Van Zant wrote some thoughtful lyrics and songs from the heart, alot of which is hard to find today.

clydeselsor

04-04-2008, 10:18 AM

Learn to read clydeselsor no one said anything about where the dead went to school. You don't really get music either do you.

I don't get music because I disagree with you? FWIW: I was making a joke!
:finger:

Art K.

04-04-2008, 10:19 AM

I haven't heard that version but would certainly look forward to the opportunity!!

wineslob

04-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Overrated:

Stones
The Cars
SuperTramp
REO Speedwagon
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Gentle Giant
Moody Blues
The list is endless...................dont get me wrong, I own many of these bands albums, but sometimes I'm left...:scratch2: or :boring:

Underrated, or practically under the radar:

Butthole Surfers
King Crimson
Laurie Anderson
Crowded House
Sixpence None the Richer

jimfet

04-04-2008, 04:07 PM

Overated, Greenday

Underated, Beck

caddisgeek

04-04-2008, 08:02 PM

Overrated:

Underrated, or practically under the radar:

Butthole Surfers
King Crimson
Laurie Anderson
Crowded House
Sixpence None the Richer

Overrated: Crowded House

Underrated: Split Enz

caddisgeek

04-04-2008, 08:03 PM

Oh, and while we're talking Steve Albini

Overrated: Big Black

Underrated: Shellac

similost

04-04-2008, 08:21 PM

Over Rated - The Ramones
Under Rated - Echo and the Bunnymen

(just happen to be listening to the bunnies, after I had a ramones in my hand and changed my mind.. now I know why :music:)

Drybasement

04-04-2008, 08:50 PM

Underrated - Harry Nilsson

The magic of Harry Nilsson. What a voice.

grateful

04-05-2008, 03:32 PM

:finger::finger:Rite back at ya clydeselsor

grillebilly

04-05-2008, 11:35 PM

Overrated: Crowded House

Underrated: Split Enz

Hey, Caddisgeek wins the award for most posts on this thread. so in his honor I nominate the following

Over-rated INXS
Under-rated Hoodoo Gurus, Huxton Creepers

Now think about it. It should be easy. BTW, I have noticed that when certain bands get put in the overrated list, it really ticks people off. IMO it is due to a lifestyle assault more than a taste in music. Almost like talking politics.

lordxale

04-06-2008, 02:14 AM

Off the beaten path here: I have one for ye modern metalheads:

Overrated: Cradle of Filth
Underrated: Dimmu Borgir

Seriously though, Dimmu's probably just as over or underrated as they'd want to be. They're making as killer of music as they've ever made and meanwhile Cradle's sold out to a crappy label (Roadrunner) and produced three very not-so-heavy records since getting off of the Music For Nations/Koch/Metal Blade/whatever other labels track. I'm not saying I don't like the new Cradle stuff but it's not what it used to be. Dimmu Borgir is still on Century Media (or is it Nuclear Blast...? I think it might be) and still kicking some major ass.

And this one is sure to flare up the discussion :) :

Overrated: Metallica
Underrated: Megadeth

...seriously, has anyone actually *listened* to the stuff Metallica has put out in the last 10 years? It was all downhill after the Black Album, and after Load it has pretty much been over for me. S&M and Garage, Inc. were good but that wasn't exactly fresh material. St. Anger is some of the most bland, boring, repetitive metal I have ever heard. Ever.

I'm not going to say Megadeth has never put out any bad albums either (I'll even name a couple: Risk, The World Needs A Hero), and even though Dave Mustaine's kind of an asshole he's still writing some good stuff. I hope I can say the same about Metallica when their next effort comes out - I *obtained* a Metallica live in Athens recording not too long ago - they still play their old stuff really well!

But anyway, like Cradle of Filth, I'll admit that Megadeth hasn't been the same after some obvious landmarks; the departure of guitarist Marty Friedman and later on again the departure of bassist Dave Ellefson, but at least I can still listen to Megadeth.

Alright, I have one more. Somebody else (forgot who) mentioned NIN as overrated, but I think they compared them to the wrong band (forgot who...:D):

Overrated: NIN
Underrated: KMFDM

KMFDM is quite possibly the best industrial band ever, and they continue to put out awesome new stuff. If anybody is remotely interested in industrial, I highly recommend you check them out. Hell, they've even putting out some new VINYL!

Sorry for the long winded post but I had some more I just had to get out!

caddisgeek

04-06-2008, 04:53 AM

Overrated: Metallica
Underrated: Megadeth

On the tip of my tounge :thmbsp:

I'd include Sepultura on the underrated list also

Hey, Caddisgeek wins the award for most posts on this thread. so in his honor I nominate the following

Over-rated INXS
Under-rated Hoodoo Gurus, Huxton Creepers

:yes:

Heaps of good bands from the Aussie "Paisley Underground" in the 80's

as I mentioned earlier Sunnyboys and Stems, also Go-betweens, the Church, Lime Spiders, Scientists etc etc

alvarez

04-06-2008, 09:52 AM

underated john prine and the moody blues overated acdc and john mayer. also i think bernie leadon was in both eagles and the flying burrito bros.

Mr. Lin

04-06-2008, 10:45 PM

On the tip of my tounge :thmbsp:

I'd include Sepultura on the underrated list also

:yes:

Heaps of good bands from the Aussie "Paisley Underground" in the 80's

as I mentioned earlier Sunnyboys and Stems, also Go-betweens, the Church, Lime Spiders, Scientists etc etc

The Church continue to release wonderful albums to this day.

Scuzzer

04-07-2008, 12:58 AM

I'll take a flyer and put this up:

Overated: almost anyone Eno produced

Underated: Eno

How the man gets pidgeon-holed as the producer of U2 is beyond me. Before there was a U2 we were jamming to the likes of "Baby's on Fire" and "Here Come The Warm Jets"

caddisgeek

04-07-2008, 03:00 AM

True on Eno, dont forget Before and after science

Scuzzer

04-07-2008, 03:10 AM

True on Eno, dont forget Before and after science

Yep, soup to nuts his first four were incredible, absolutely never before heard stuff. The mainstream only heard it through Bowie, The Talking Heads, U2 and other produced acts. They're not bad (hell Heroes still gets it for me) but Eno has always been obscure unless you know what's going on.

caddisgeek

04-07-2008, 07:55 AM

Yep, soup to nuts his first four were incredible, absolutely never before heard stuff. The mainstream only heard it through Bowie, The Talking Heads, U2 and other produced acts. They're not bad (hell Heroes still gets it for me) but Eno has always been obscure unless you know what's going on.

Dont forget his stuff with Roxy Music too!

One I was going top say before you posted on eno Scuzzer

Brian Ferry : Overrated

Brian Eno : Underrated

Carson

04-07-2008, 11:05 AM

over rated -- Stones, Pat Green
under rated -- Humble Pie, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Moe.

MarkD

04-07-2008, 03:30 PM

Meatloaf - When "Bat out of Hell" came out, the radio stations pushed it heavily and have pushed it ever since. It's got some decent cuts on it, but he is still riding on the promotion wave of well over 20 years ago.

Secondly, there's Bon Jovi. I always thought he sucked, but these days, he's really hyped.

Brett a

04-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Overrated: Beck
Underrated: Lambchop

Overrated: Creedence
Underrated: Free

Over: Blackalicious
Under: Kool Keith

:thmbsp:

Sansui Louie

04-07-2008, 04:31 PM

Overrated: Bad Company
Underrated: Badfinger

Sansui Louie

04-07-2008, 04:32 PM

Telecaster72

04-07-2008, 06:31 PM

Overrated: Beck
Underrated: Lambchop

Overrated: Creedence
Underrated: Free

:thmbsp:

I am totally with you on Lambchop and Free, righton!

SkyLounger

04-07-2008, 11:14 PM

U2 is WAY over-rated in my book, I'm glad they they are staying pretty much out of sight these days.

Overrated: U2

Underrated: U2

SkyLounger

04-07-2008, 11:17 PM

I like Rush's music, I just don't like the vocals (Getty Lee?), If I could get their stuff with no vocals, it would be OK.

Sorry but Rush without Geddy Lee's vocal just isn't Rush, as much as I enjoy Peart's drummin' or Lifeson's strummin'...

jimdgoulding

04-07-2008, 11:27 PM

Queen . . overated. What else could you be you thinking.

Danger Boy

04-08-2008, 12:46 AM

Most underrated - Quarterflash :lmao:

Most overrated - The White Stripes :thumbsdn:

hendrixfuzz

04-08-2008, 04:30 PM

Most Overrated: Pearl Jam

Most Underrated: Melvins

:guitar:

Axcel

04-08-2008, 04:44 PM

:tresbon:
Good one!

I only have the first CD but it is AWESOME!!
The Brandos are beyond 'underrated' however, to the point of 'virtually unknown'.

Brandos:dunno::dunno:

Axcel

04-08-2008, 04:46 PM

Overrated: Crowded House

Underrated: Split Enz

Split Enz:thmbsp: yes you got that right

Lady Ayeka

04-08-2008, 04:48 PM

underrated;Little River Band.
overrated;the Beatles.
(oh, boy am i dead!! bitchin!!:D:music:)

Axcel

04-08-2008, 04:51 PM

Sorry but Rush without Geddy Lee's vocal just isn't Rush, as much as I enjoy Peart's drummin' or Lifeson's strummin'...

Here here:thmbsp:

Brett a

04-08-2008, 05:38 PM

Just plain underrated: The Au Pairs

JohnVF

04-08-2008, 05:52 PM

Over-rated: Most of what I was into in high-school.

Under-rated: Much of what I thought was crap back then.

pmsummer

04-08-2008, 05:59 PM

Over-rated: Most of what I was into in high-school.

Under-rated: Much of what I thought was crap back then.

You're a wise man, John. :yes:

caddisgeek

04-08-2008, 07:25 PM

underrated;Little River Band.
overrated;the Beatles.
(oh, boy am i dead!! bitchin!!:D:music:)

Thats just being silly, LRB? you talking shorrock or farnsey period. IMO, both were MOR crap, but like I said IMO :D

Damm, Little River Band, every ten years or so you septics jump on the worst Australia has to offer, I tell you

LRB

Air Supply

INXS

Savage Garden

caddisgeek

04-08-2008, 07:27 PM

Oh yeah I forgot

Overrated: Jimmy Page

Underrated: Mick Ronson

Goes for playing, arrangement and production

go put on Rise and Fally of Ziggy Stardust & Transformer and you be the Judge! :thmbsp:

(not to say that one is better than the other!)

grillebilly

04-08-2008, 08:30 PM

Underrated- Surf bands
overrated- Metal bands

Why? Listen to any 10 surf tunes and then 10 metal songs and then tell me who has more talent. Pick "em.

pmsummer

04-08-2008, 08:36 PM

Underrated- Surf bands
overrated- Metal bands

Why? Listen to any 10 surf tunes and then 10 metal songs and then tell me who has more talent. Pick "em.

grillebilly,

For what it's worth (and it ain't worth much), I'm really liking your posts. :thmbsp:

grillebilly

04-08-2008, 09:25 PM

grillebilly,

For what it's worth (and it ain't worth much), I'm really liking your posts. :thmbsp:
:tears:
Thanks. Thats the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me......

Lady Ayeka

04-10-2008, 08:12 PM

Thats just being silly, LRB? you talking shorrock or farnsey period. IMO, both were MOR crap, but like I said IMO :D

Damm, Little River Band, every ten years or so you septics jump on the worst Australia has to offer, I tell you

LRB

Air Supply

INXS

Savage Garden

ALL little river band. and that's john FARNHAM, not FARNSEY.

caddisgeek

04-11-2008, 08:20 AM

ALL little river band. and that's john FARNHAM, not FARNSEY.

Uh, it is Farnsey, lead singer of 'Chisel is Barnsey :D

enjoy the tunes :thmbsp:

tdst51

04-11-2008, 10:31 PM

Overrated: KISS, RUSH

Underrated: Spirit

:smoke:

clydeselsor

04-11-2008, 10:37 PM

Overrated: KISS, RUSH

Underrated: Spirit

:smoke:

Spirit :thmbsp:

arrow 68

04-11-2008, 11:15 PM

Over-rated: Most of what I was into in high-school.

Under-rated: Much of what I thought was crap back then.

I agree with this post completely!!!

grillebilly

04-11-2008, 11:55 PM

Overrated: KISS, RUSH

:thmbsp:
Underrated: Spirit[/B]

Have to agree. Spirit had some tasty psychedelic tunes, also the remnants of the band formed Kapt. Kopter and The Fabulous Twirly Birds. Randy California kept the band touring through the 80's still using the Spirit name. The double "Spirit Of 76" album has some interesting covers of "America The Beautiful", "The Times, They Are A Changing", "Like A Rolling Stone"."Hey Joe" and "The Star Spangled Banner".
Thanks for digging them up, good post IMO.

elgato8905

04-12-2008, 09:20 AM

Underated: The Supersuckers, Wayne Hancock, The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Flash Express, The Chelsea Smiles

and oh yeah grillebilly... You can throw Southern Culture on the Skids on that list too.:D

Overated: Just about everything I hear on the radio nowadays (Unless it's a college or jazz station...).

TAGO MAGO

04-12-2008, 11:25 AM

Overated
Pink Floyd
While the Syd Barrett years provided some excellent music, David Gilmour and the rest of them really failed to live up to the standards Syd set for the band. The Floyd have never made any really wretched albums, but they have made plenty of mediocre ones. Most Floyd "fans" are drawn to either Dark Side Of The Moon,The Wall or Wish You Were Here and ignore the rest. Recently a new generation of listeners have been getting into Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, although because of Syd's "drug causality" status and not because he happened to be one of the best song writers that Great Britain ever produced.

Rolling Stones
From 1963-1972 they produced some of the best music along with such bands as The Who, Creation and The Pretty Things. From 1972 to today they have been coasting on auto pilot. Ron Wood was better in the Faces anyway.

Tangerine Dream
They were sort of interesting from 1969-73, although beyond that era they have produced mainly sleep inducing new age music. Do not operate heavy machinery while partaking. :boring:

The Beatles solo
The Beatles were a fantastic band, although was it George Martin who help make part of the magic or did John, Paul, George and Ringo keep each other in check? True, Paul produced both Band On The Run and Ram which were fantastic albums, although everything else was either sappy or lacking direction. George also did have is solo moment in the sun with All Things Must Past, but there was little after that to get excited about. Ringo produced some great singles, although I cannot say I could handle him for a full album's length. Lastly John was too preachy, too angry and too self indulgent. There were some fantastic solo songs in John's solo career, but there were some horrendous experimental material (Two Virgins, Life With The Lions, and Wedding Album) and much substandard material to wade through. He really started to produce excellent stuff with his comeback album Double Fantasy, but sadly we know what happened after that.

Underrated
Can
Possibly as important than the Beatles to the future of rock music. Certainly more important that post-Syd Pink Floyd. It was a bit of a rarity to have four talented musicians in one band in the 70's and not have a bunch of techo flash ala Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Can compositions were more akin to improvisational jazz than rock, except rather than have each member solo the band worked together like a machine (at least in their early days) driven by the wonderful rhythm section of Jaki Leibeziet (percussion) and Holger Czukay (bass). Often the melody lines were handled by Michael Karoli (guitar), Irmin Schmidt (keyboards) and the vocalists Malcolm Mooney and during their peak 1970-74 period, Damo Suzuki. It is interesting that their influence can be felt in both the punk music and eurodisco of the late 70's.

The Soft Machine (the Robert Wyatt era)
Excellent band with massively skilled musicians. Started as part of the band The Wilde Flowers out of which grew the Soft Machine as well as Caravan, although Soft Machine were the artier of the two bands. The original line-up featured Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers and Michael Ratledge. Allen was the first to leave after a single and an albums worth of demos, but before their proper debut album because of drug related immigration issues. He remained in France and formed Bananamoon and later Gong. The Softs continued as a trio, although Ayers left in 1968 to go solo and was replaced by Hugh Hopper. This line-up often augmented with a horn section produced the psychedelic classic Volume Two and the fantastic avant-garde jazz oriented Third. Wyatt left in 1971 and the Softs lost a lot their charm and magic. Their real downfall was in 1974 when Karl Jenkins became the dominant force and they started producing some rather unremarkable fusion.

The Pretty Things
Nastier than the Stones and Punk long before the Pistols, in fact lead vocalist Phil May even slept with Nancy Spungen before she met Sid Vicious. Produced the sadly overlooked psychedelic classic S.F. Sorrow and easily one of the best albums of 1969, Parachute has often drawn comparisons with the Beatles best work.

Saint Johnny

04-12-2008, 04:21 PM

Brandos:dunno::dunno:
See? Virtually unknown!:yes:

Saint Johnny

04-12-2008, 04:24 PM

Underrated- Surf bands
overrated- Metal bands

Why? Listen to any 10 surf tunes and then 10 metal songs and then tell me who has more talent. Pick "em.
All hail Dick Dale!!
Dick Dale: Underrated

Axcel

04-12-2008, 06:47 PM

Can
Possibly as important than the Beatles to the future of rock music. Certainly more important that post-Syd Pink Floyd. It was a bit of a rarity to have four talented musicians in one band in the 70's and not have a bunch of techo flash ala Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Can compositions were more akin to improvisational jazz than rock, except rather than have each member solo the band worked together like a machine (at least in their early days) driven by the wonderful rhythm section of Jaki Leibeziet (percussion) and Holger Czukay (bass). Often the melody lines were handled by Michael Karoli (guitar), Irmin Schmidt (keyboards) and the vocalists Malcolm Mooney and during their peak 1970-74 period, Damo Suzuki. It is interesting that their influence can be felt in both the punk music and eurodisco of the late 70's.

The Soft Machine (the Robert Wyatt era)
Excellent band with massively skilled musicians. Started as part of the band The Wilde Flowers out of which grew the Soft Machine as well as Caravan, although Soft Machine were the artier of the two bands. The original line-up featured Robert Wyatt, Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers and Michael Ratledge. Allen was the first to leave after a single and an albums worth of demos, but before their proper debut album because of drug related immigration issues. He remained in France and formed Bananamoon and later Gong. The Softs continued as a trio, although Ayers left in 1968 to go solo and was replaced by Hugh Hopper. This line-up often augmented with a horn section produced the psychedelic classic Volume Two and the fantastic avant-garde jazz oriented Third. Wyatt left in 1971 and the Softs lost a lot their charm and magic. Their real downfall was in 1974 when Karl Jenkins became the dominant force and they started producing some rather unremarkable fusion.

The Pretty Things
Nastier than the Stones and Punk long before the Pistols, in fact lead vocalist Phil May even slept with Nancy Spungen before she met Sid Vicious. Produced the sadly overlooked psychedelic classic S.F. Sorrow and easily one of the best albums of 1969, Parachute has often drawn comparisons with the Beatles best work.
__________________
Friends don't shoot friends with Zerostat guns.
Excuse me but

:dunno::dunno::dunno: never heard of any of these ebands in my 46 years?Not that it matters

Zeromancer

04-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Madrugada = amazing underated alternative Norwegian rock band.
check them out.
Amazing stuff

Red Stick

04-12-2008, 10:00 PM

Underrated - k d Lang
Overated - all of the American Idol type pop country singers

Lady Ayeka

04-13-2008, 04:41 PM

Uh, it is Farnsey, lead singer of 'Chisel is Barnsey :D

enjoy the tunes :thmbsp:

trust me, it's FARNHAM.

Lady Ayeka

04-13-2008, 04:53 PM

PLEASE do not flame me, but IMHO, the Beatles are WAY over-rated, along with Lynyrd Skynard, and Eric Clapton. Sorry, guys, just don't think that they are all that great. I don't mind listening to them, but I have almost never played them myself....

indeed, i cant imagine any other band building a career off a song with lyrics as messed up as "come together"

Tapehead47

04-13-2008, 05:26 PM

Over rated: Rolling Stones: haven't done anything original since the early 70's.

U2: talk about a band with marginal talent....Popular doesn't necessarily equate to real talent. Usually the inverse is true.

The Who: Like the Stones, their music is for kids.

Kenny G: Probably a great musician, but his music blows. And I can't stand to look at him with that stupid hair.

Dave Matthews: Coma coming on!

Under Rated:

Andy Narell. You may like his steel pan music for a tropical background, but his stuff is multi-level. Killer musicians and great jazz.

Frank Zappa. He does everything well at every level. The best American Band ever.

Steely Dan. They would squish a band like U2.

Gary Moore. Walter Trout. Stevie Ray Vaughan. These guys can bring you to your knees with their playing.

I don't like bashing other peoples music. It don't make me happy. But I think you need to grow musically as you age. Most people seem to stop growing musically while in high school.

It takes discipline. It wasn't easy to switch from bands like the Beatles to bands like Weather Report (Probably the best band in the Universe).

That's the way I feel, anyway.

No digs intended.

Rick

Tapehead47

04-13-2008, 05:29 PM

Underrated - k d Lang
Overated - all of the American Idol type pop country singers

K. D. has the best voice I think I've ever heard. As long as she's singing someone elses music! I really don't care for her original stuff. But what a voice!!

Rick

caddisgeek

04-13-2008, 07:38 PM

trust me, it's FARNHAM.

Ask any Australian music fan who Farnsey is and they'll tell you straight away. While not my cup of team, John Farnham is an icon of Australian pop music. Farnsey is an affectionate nickname, nothing to get your knickers in a twist over! :thmbsp:

Cheers
Wicko

Lady Ayeka

04-13-2008, 08:23 PM

Ask any Australian music fan who Farnsey is and they'll tell you straight away. While not my cup of team, John Farnham is an icon of Australian pop music. Farnsey is an affectionate nickname, nothing to get your knickers in a twist over! :thmbsp:

Cheers
Wicko

10-4.:music:

Zeromancer

04-13-2008, 11:18 PM

Underrated = Ozric Tentacles
Every time I put on one of their albums it still sounds new to me.

grillebilly

04-13-2008, 11:27 PM

Underrated = Ozric Tentacles
Every time I put on one of their albums it still sounds new to me.

Love to hear about these underrated bands. Many of them I have never heard so it would be nice to hear a little about them, comparisons, what genre or any info you feel like passing on. Thanks.

Zeromancer

04-14-2008, 06:36 AM

Love to hear about these underrated bands. Many of them I have never heard so it would be nice to hear a little about them, comparisons, what genre or any info you feel like passing on. Thanks.
Ozric Tentacles = ambient dub fusion psy rock
lol - hard to explain them. They mix sounds from all types of genres. It is organic sounding psychedelic music.

pmsummer

04-14-2008, 11:09 AM

"Everything popular is wrong."

Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest

riverrat

04-14-2008, 01:02 PM

Over-rated:

REO-Styx-Journey-Wagon The pop-rock equivalent of elevator music
Garth Brooks and the rest of the big hat faux country clones (this kind of fake country music makes me want to puke)
Q: What happens when you play a country music song backwards? A: Your dog comes back to life, you get your job back and your wife returns

Rolling Stones- my favorite band, but I'd have to agree they may be over-rated. Mick Jagger seems to have run out of things to say about 30 years ago, and while I've bought nearly every album they've put out since that time, aside from a stray good song here and there, nearly all of them have been disappointments...

Under-rated:

Morphine
Chris Whitley
Little Feat

Red Stick

04-14-2008, 02:57 PM

Under-rated: Ted Nugent as a guitar player
Over-rated: Michael Jackson (solo) as a human

Tapehead47

04-14-2008, 05:52 PM

I've been so out of touch the last 20 years. You are a very knowledgeable and interesting group. I had to rate this thread 5-stars. Grillebilly, you don't mess around. You really know your stuff and you probably are the best moderator for this thread. Thanks for staying on top and keeping it from being a flamethrowing pile of insults and barbs. :yes: :yes: :yes:

Great job, my man, great job.:thmbsp:

I really mean that.

Rick

grillebilly

04-14-2008, 08:25 PM

Thanks for the kind words. It's all about finding new music we like so we can enjoy our stereo gear. We also get a chance to ask each other why some bands are so popular that we really don't get behind. What I think is really cool, is some of us think our favorite bands are overrated. Where else but AK would you hear someone say that? Not too many egos here, just a lot of music lovers.
AHH, Heaven!

caddisgeek

04-14-2008, 08:53 PM

Overrated: American and English bands

Underrated: Australian and Canadian bands

Not a nationalistic rant, just an observation from the outside looking in :thmbsp:

pmsummer

04-14-2008, 09:04 PM

Overrated: ZZ Top

Underrated: All other Texas musicians

This is a nationalist rant. ;)

Catswold

04-14-2008, 09:20 PM

ZZ Top? I don't think so...at least when they play real rock/blues and not that eighties crp.

Overated...Janis Joplin wrote the book!!!

Speaking of Texas, that is.

pmsummer

04-14-2008, 09:27 PM

They* were better when they were the American Blues.

...and more fun when they were the Greene Men backing Lady Greene.

*(2/3rds of 'em, plus Rocky Hill... who could play his Les Paul.)

jdrum1

04-14-2008, 09:40 PM

Over: James Brown/Under: The JB's

Over: Pat Green/Under: Robert Earl Keen

Over: Johnny Cash/Under: Willie Nelson

I'll put on my helment and go stand in the corner now.

caddisgeek

04-14-2008, 11:03 PM

Overrated: ZZ Top

Underrated: All other Texas musicians

This is a nationalist rant. ;)

Overrated: ZZ Top

Underrated: Moving Sidewalks

Just coz I'm a rock snob :thmbsp:

stuwee

04-15-2008, 01:05 AM

a-Ha, after Scondrel Days, these guys really pulled it nice and tight as a band, Pal Waaktaar's vocal range has to be 4 octaves and musical all the way thru it.
Jason Mraz, just listen, no pidgenholing this young man
ELO/Jeff Lynn, reason already mentioned
The above is my underrated list^^

Too much overrated for me to type with tired fingers I'll try again tomorrow

Peace :music: Craig

pmsummer

04-15-2008, 06:07 AM

Overrated: ZZ Top

Underrated: Moving Sidewalks

Just coz I'm a rock snob :thmbsp:

No sir. Not a snob, but a connoisseur.
:yes:

timofred

04-15-2008, 06:33 AM

Over = Robbie Williams
Under = Robbie Robertson

over = Brian Ferry
Under = Brian Eno

Farnham should retire, for good, permanently, and NEVER return.

caddisgeek

04-15-2008, 06:43 AM

Farnham should retire, for good, permanently, and NEVER return.

What, again? I dont think I could handle that :no:

kbott

04-15-2008, 09:45 AM

Overated - Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (sorry you just ain't Pavement - Dragonfly Pie vs Summer Babe c'mon)

Underated - Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3 (though you've put out the occasional clunker since Dream Syndicate you still have originality left in you along with a tight backing band)

Underated - The Walkabouts - a shame that a band from Seattle that's not grunge couldn't make it and had to go to Europe to find an audience real big in the former Yougaslav republics

Underated - The Bevis Frond - if you like pyschedelic guitar licks most are pale imitators of Nick Saloman

Underated - Steve Earle - politics aside he writes some damn fine songs - the duets he does on most albums with a female vocalist are timeless gems

Overated - My Morning Jacket - middling alt-country not bad but not memorable

Overated - My Bloody Valentine if "Loveless" is the height of shoegazer puuuulleeeze noise and a chick who sounds like chalk screeching on a chalkboard no thanks

Underated - Swervedriver - just crank out the song "Duress" and you'll see what I mean they may have kept their heads looking down at their shoes but they can play the feedback loop

enough for today

Jack Lord

04-15-2008, 11:35 AM

Rolling Stones- my favorite band, but I'd have to agree they may be over-rated. Mick Jagger seems to have run out of things to say about 30 years ago, and while I've bought nearly every album they've put out since that time, aside from a stray good song here and there, nearly all of them have been disappointments...

Every band has a natural lifespan before they start churning out mediocre material. Were the Beatles still alive and together, God knows what kind of crap they would be issuing.

The Stones are basically a nostalgic act now. Actually, they have been for awhile now. While each album has the odd, decent song, their last great effort was Some Girls and that was 30 years ago. I judge them up to that and lop off the rest. Consequently, they are not overrated. People do not go see them to hear Steel Wheels. They want the classic Stones and that is what they get with a few exceptions (Start Me Up). Going to see the Stones is like going to see Smokey Robinson or the Tempations. You will love the classic stuff and go to grab beer when they do anything new.

Nobody stays in top form forever. Dylan is still pretty good, but it ain't like he is gonna top Blonde on Blonde. Led Zep's In Through the Out Door had its moments, but was it comparable to Led Zep IV? Has anything Clapton has done in the last 30 years on the same level as Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs?

Just my two cents.:thmbsp:

Sansui Louie

04-15-2008, 12:06 PM

McGarrett, you've said it all. :D

riverrat

04-15-2008, 03:36 PM

McGarrett, you've said it all. :D

Yes, well put!

Saint Johnny

04-15-2008, 05:26 PM

Overrated: ZZ Top

Underrated: Moving Sidewalks

Just coz I'm a rock snob :thmbsp:

Though isn't Billy Gibbons both bands?
Snob? maybe. More like archeaologist, if you ask me. :thmbsp:

underrated:
The Replacements
Buzzcocks

Tapehead47

04-15-2008, 05:33 PM

Bookem' Dano...

I have maybe 2 Beatles LP's. They're not the type of band I normally listen to nowdays, but I was a fanatic back in the day. They have done more to change the face of Rock and Roll than any band in history. Before them there was some great music, no doubt, because I was there to witness it. And witness the metamorphosis the ensued.

We had The Temptations, 4 Tops, 4 Seasons, Beach Boys, Martha and the Vandellas, Dion, Otis Redding, The Supremes, Elvis, etc etc....we ate it up. Rock was God!

The Beatles opened the door for other British bands, like the Yardbirds, The Zombies, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Beau Brummels, etc. And they brought our American Blues back to us in a new form that made it palatable for the younger generation.

That's the main reason I have undying respect for the Beatles. Without them I can't imagine what styles of music we would be listening to today. Whether you like them or not, overrated or underrated the Beatles are the center or our musical universe as it stands.

What do you think of that?

Rick

Saint Johnny

04-15-2008, 05:51 PM

stuwee

04-15-2008, 06:21 PM

As far as overated: If they think they are(and deep down inside they Know,trust me on this folks) then they are:yes::D

GrillBilly can I do a quick hijack? thanks:D has anyone ever noticed how when most, not all but, most British singers sound American while singing? Does that make our accent melodious?:scratch2:

Craig

caddisgeek

04-15-2008, 07:52 PM

Though isn't Billy Gibbons both bands?
Snob? maybe. More like archeaologist, if you ask me. :thmbsp:

underrated:
The Replacements
Buzzcocks

That was my point :D After seeing the Moving Sidewalks Hendrix said Billy Gibbons was the best white guitarist he ever heard, take that Clapton!

Overrated: Buzzcocks

Underrated: Undertones

Told you I was a rock snob :nono:

Saint Johnny

04-15-2008, 08:55 PM

That was my point :D After seeing the Moving Sidewalks Hendrix said Billy Gibbons was the best white guitarist he ever heard, take that Clapton!

Overrated: Buzzcocks

Underrated: Undertones

Told you I was a rock snob :nono:

I would tend to agree Clapton is overrated, while Billy would be underrated.

And while I'd have to disagree that Buzzcocks are overrated.

The Undertones most definitively are underrated!!

I'm a snob too, you see?

Get Teenage Kicks right through the night!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtUw6lxcis

As are Stiff Little Fingers!:yes:
I'm a snob too, you see?:smoke:

Tapehead47

04-15-2008, 09:15 PM

Weren't the Beau Brummels a San Francisco band? (very underrated, btw!)

And while I agree with most everything you write about the Beatles. I would not call them a 'blues band' in any way that one can conceive the word 'blues'. The Beatles were foremost a 'pop/rock band', more than any other. They covered Ann Margeret, Helen Shapiro, Burt Bacharach, and some show tunes.

In America, yes we had 'singers' but, the cool thing to me about the Beatles was, they were a BAND, a real band, almost a sort of a 'gang'.

I didn't mean to infer the Beatles were a blues band :nono:. They started "The British Invasion", which brought in a load of British blues bands. Not pure blues, but a variation. The Beatles were pop-rock for sure.

Following the Beatles were bands like the Stones, Yardbirds, etc., who were basically rehashing blues licks using electric instruments. (I always thought the Beau Brummels were a British band, but you're probably right. I never bought one of their albums. I should look it up on the web).

How about John Mayall? Not a pop band, but became popular after Cream hit the charts. The direction I preferred went with bands like Santana, Steppenwolf, Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller, and some of the pop bands. I realize Clapton played with Mayall before he was with Cream, but I'd never heard of Mayall until after Cream.

It was all new and revealing. Listening to music on FM late nite with headphones opened up a whole new world. Moby Grape, Paul Butterfield, Frank Zappa, Quicksilver, The Grateful Dead, Electric Prunes.....:music:

I could be chronologically off on some of my guesses, but the Beatles remain as the most influential band since the 60's. As if we didn't all know that!

Rick

Tapehead47

04-15-2008, 09:22 PM

That was my point :D After seeing the Moving Sidewalks Hendrix said Billy Gibbons was the best white guitarist he ever heard, take that Clapton!

Overrated: Buzzcocks

Underrated: Undertones

Told you I was a rock snob :nono:

I'm not a huge fan of ZZ Top, but Clapton said he loved the music coming out of Texas, and Gibbons was the best Texas-style guitar player. That's why ZZ Top was the closing band for Claptons "Crossroads" concert. And on the DVD they really kicked some royal ass!:thmbsp:

Underrated: La Grange :lmao::guitar:

Rick

caddisgeek

04-15-2008, 09:26 PM

While I'd have to disagree that Buzzcocks are overrated.

The Undertones most definitively are underrated!!

I'm a snob too, you see?

Get Teenage Kicks right through the night!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtUw6lxcis

I'm such a snob I dont even have Teenage Kicks because my copy of their first LP is from the 1st pressing :thmbsp:

BTW I love the Buzzcocks, but they get way more kudos as many other bands of the era who are just as deserving, like the Undertones and SLF as well as Wire, 999, Sham 69 etc

pmsummer

04-15-2008, 09:27 PM

I'm not a huge fan of ZZ Top, but Clapton said he loved the music coming out of Texas, and Gibbons was the best Texas-style guitar player. That's why ZZ Top was the closing band for Claptons "Crossroads" concert. And on the DVD they really kicked some royal ass!:thmbsp:

Underrated: La Grange :lmao::guitar:

Rick

Rocky Hill (Dusty's brother) could play circles around Gibbons, IMHO, which isn't a knock on Gibbons. Gibbons could keep his sh*t together better.

Rocky was better versed in the blues.

grillebilly

04-15-2008, 09:44 PM

I didn't mean to infer the Beatles were a blues band :nono:. They started "The British Invasion", which brought in a load of British blues bands. Not pure blues, but a variation. The Beatles were pop-rock for sure.

Following the Beatles were bands like the Stones, Yardbirds, etc., who were basically rehashing blues licks using electric instruments. (I always thought the Beau Brummels were a British band, but you're probably right. I never bought one of their albums. I should look it up on the web).

How about John Mayall? Not a pop band, but became popular after Cream hit the charts. The direction I preferred went with bands like Santana, Steppenwolf, Zeppelin, Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller, and some of the pop bands. I realize Clapton played with Mayall before he was with Cream, but I'd never heard of Mayall until after Cream.

It was all new and revealing. Listening to music on FM late nite with headphones opened up a whole new world. Moby Grape, Paul Butterfield, Frank Zappa, Quicksilver, The Grateful Dead, Electric Prunes.....:music:

I could be chronologically off on some of my guesses, but the Beatles remain as the most influential band since the 60's. As if we didn't all know that!

Rick

Rick,
Had to respond to this since you named so many of my favorite groups. Steve Miller (pre "Fly Like An Eagle") was my first real concert, Zappa was next. I think I have all the Grape records, Butterfield with Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop were killer (East-West). You got my head spinnin'.

Your comments are important, if you consider the origins of most of the music we all grew up on was American "Roots" music. Pretty much all the big acts of the '60s were influenced by blues, R&B and soul. I heard stories, which most of you have too, that the Stones were formed after listening to American Blues records. John Lennon idolized Little Richard. Early Who sounded a lot like Rockabilly. They all evolved to create their own sound. Psychedelia was born and mixed with Rock spawned the "Garage" sound, which is IMO is the coolest genre. I know I am off topic here, and this is a shameless plug for another thread-
Todays Roots Music Playlist
I was hoping to get some of you talking who find Roots interesting to post some favorite music and information.

Tapehead47

04-15-2008, 10:26 PM

Didn't mean to hijack this thread. I have a bad habit of doing that as I'm not very mentally organized! :no:

(Well, not at this particular moment. Another beer, Bartender!)

I thank you, grillebilly. You have crystallized my thoughts.

R&B and Soul. How far we've strayed.

Underrated or overrated is so subjective. I can hardly listen to some of these so-called 'musicians' who put on a show and can't play a lick. The music world is a fickle concubine.

Rick

Tapehead47

04-15-2008, 10:32 PM

Overrated: Allman Bros studio stuff
Underrated: Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore East/The Fillmore Concerts.

Axcel

04-16-2008, 08:51 AM

c'mon guys what happened to the topic?

Overrated: Toto

Underrated: Robin Trower

Just off the top of my head...

Trower:thmbsp::thmbsp:

Jack Lord

04-16-2008, 11:35 AM